Palmer amaranth will cause challenges for forage producers

When alfalfa growers consider their worst nightmare for controlling weeds, it’s usually at the time of emergence when weeds will overpower and dominate small seedlings. Palmer amaranth, one of the most difficult weeds to manage in field crop, is a new weed threat for forage producers to add to their nightmare list. One of the reasons this weed is so tough to control is because samples from Michigan have been confirmed resistant to both glyphosate and ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Palmer amaranth is the most competitive and aggressive of the pigweed species.

The theme of the conference is “Building Soil with Forages.” Producers and agribusinesses will have the opportunity to interact during the extended vendor break in the afternoon. Additional topics include keynote speaker Gabe Brown, a soil health advocate and a pioneer in diverse cover cropping on his farm and family ranch in Bismarck, N.D. Two producer panels will also be held in the afternoon breakout sessions featuring baleage, haylage, dry haying systems and successful styles of beef cattle grazing.